United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

Call for Expressions of Interest for Cooperation Partners for Agreement of Cooperation

Towards an Integrated Transport System: Demonstration Bus Rapid Transit Corridors in Cairo, Egypt: Phase II

Date first published: 26 July 2017

Deadline for submissions of EoIs: 21 August 2017

 

  1. Introduction

Bus Rapid Transit systems are emerging as a viable solution in many cities that are facing the difficulties of traffic congestion. BRT can achieve high capacity and speed at relatively low cost by combining dedicated bus-lanes, off –board fare collection, platform level boarding and bus priority at intersections. BRT systems can be established with relatively smaller capital investments and more quickly than other urban transportation systems such as Metro and Light rail. To maximize its benefits and to achieve “last and first mile connectivity” BRT should be properly integrated with better facilities for walking and cycling. UN-Habitat has commenced a feasibility study of the first BRT demonstration corridor in Cairo. In a Collaboration with UN Women, UN-Habitat now plans to take up an initiative that will enable a study of gender aspects of mobility and incorporate recommendations that will enable better mobility and accessibility of women and vulnerable groups. UN Women’s support will also enable a feasibility study to be taken up for a second BRT corridor.   

  1. Proposed Bus Rapid Transit Corridor in Cairo : Phase II

UN-Habitat invites Expressions of Interest from Not-for –Profit Organizations or Governmental and Inter-Governmental organisations to undertake a feasibility study for a BRT corridor in Cairo. This feasibility study will be the second of such studies, with the first study already commenced.

The project specifically aims to create the technical and institutional basis for implementing bus rapid transit system corridors and comprises of two inter-related components:

Component 1: Feasibility study to include Service/operational plans, financial model and Business Plan for demonstration corridors selected as follows:

  1. Identification of a suitable BRT corridor based on indicative assessments of travel demand and recommendations of Government;
  2. Analysis of gender and vulnerability aspects with relation to public transport;
  3. Developing a “service “ or “operational plan for the BRT services running on the corridor ( e.g bus capacity; fleet size; frequency, station locations and key dimensions; service orientation i.e direct or trunk/feeder etc) with particular attention to the needs of women and other vulnerable groups ;
  4. Provide outline design features of BRT infrastructure – e.g station and station alignments; carriageway dimensions; intersection plans etc ensuring the perspective of women and vulnerable groups are suitably incorporated in operational plans and designs;
  5. Key elements of a “BRT Business and Institutional Plan, and Financial Model” taking into consideration the current micro-bus industry in Cairo; recommendations on public transport industry transformation and recommendations on next steps on the design and procurement of infrastructure works and transport services.

Component 2: Developing detailed terms of reference for a Design -Build contract, including a draft Request for Proposal, to include a description of all items required for a Bill of Quantities ( without indicating quantities) to enable public authorities to call for bids for design-build; supply /installation and operations contracts for the two BRT corridors as follows:

  1. A "work package list" that identifies all the system components and an associated procurement strategy for each component.
  2. Detailed terms of reference for a Design -Build contract, including a draft RFP, covering the complete scope of works including BRT infrastructure plan and all major components as identified through the service plan and outline business plans.
  3. Include a sample 1 KM stretch with all the system components and quantities.
  4. Preliminary design corridors drawings for two BRT corridors.

In addition to the above, the implementation partner is expected to support training and capacity building of Government staff for planning and executing BRT systems with a particular emphasis on the needs of women and vulnerable groups. The EOI should contain, but not be limited to the following:

  1. Overall experience of the organization in the area of BRT;
  2. A short conceptual proposal on how the organisation plans to develop and implement this initiative;
  • The support/ contribution the organization is willing to make including, cash and in kind; (contribution in terms of staff time, office space and equipment and other support in cash and in-kind should be expressed in monetary terms)
  1. Copies of statement of annual budget and annual reports of the previous 5 years;
  2. Copy of two latest audited reports, and
  3. Governance and organizational structure; experience and qualifications of key professional staff and infrastructure facilities of the organization.

Background and relevant documents related to transportation in Cairo and the proposed BRT routes by government can be found at the following link https://www.dropbox.com/sh/iqiyabt1jpwu10t/AACaB3wVSDGIAuqpoE8V1RKQa?dl=0

  1. Overall Timeframe

The work outlined in this EOI is scheduled to commence in September 2017 and completed by 31 March 2018. Trial operation and commissioning of the BRT systems is scheduled for October 2019.

  1. Submission Requirements and Guidelines

Expression of Interest must be delivered in electronic format no later than 9 August 2017 to the e-mail address given below:

Priscilla.Muchibwa@unhabitat.org;

  1. Contact Information

- Debashish Bhattacharjee

Human Settlements Officer

Lead, Urban Mobility

Urban Basic Services Branch

United Nations Human Settlements Programme

(UN-Habitat)

P.O. Box 30030, Nairobi, Kenya

Tel: 254-20-7625288; 7623668

Debashish.Bhattacharjee@unhabitat.org

- Salma Mousallem

Project Officer

UN-Habitat Egypt

1 Ismail Abaza St

Cairo, Egypt

Tel: +2(02) 2794 5271 ext 110

salma.mousallem@unhabitat.org

  1. Other

Please note that this EOI notice does not constitute a solicitation. UN-Habitat reserves the right to change or cancel this requirement at any time in the Expressions of Interest/or solicitation process.

Submitting a reply to an EOI does not guarantee that a Cooperation Partner will be considered for receipt of the solicitation when issued and only Cooperation Partners who are deemed qualified by UN-Habitat upon completion of evaluation of submission, will receive the final solicitation document.

First published on: 26 July - 09 August 2017

Second announcement: 14 August - 21 August 2017